Stem Cells International
·
2023
·
IF 4.3
Ruixi Luo,Yaqiong Wei,Peng Chen,Jing Zhang,La Wang,Wenjia Wang,Ping Wang,Weiyi Tian
Background. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common idiopathic interstitial lung disease, and it carries a poor prognosis due to a lack of efficient diagnosis methods and treatments. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in IPF pathogenesis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to fibrosis via EMT-mediated pathways. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising treatment strategy for pulmonary fibrosis and ameliorates lung fibrosis in animal models via paracrine effects. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the effect of transplanted MSCs are not known. We previously reported that MSCs attenuate endothelial injury by modulating ER stress and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The present study investigated whether modulation of ER stress- and EMT-related pathways plays essential roles in MSC-mediated alleviation of IPF. Methods and Results. We constructed a A549 cell model of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced fibrosis. TGF-β1 was used to induce EMT in A549 cells, and MSC coculture decreased EMT, as indicated by increased E-cadherin levels and decreased vimentin levels. ER stress participated in TGF-β1-induced EMT in A549 cells, and MSCs inhibited the expression of XBP-1s, XBP-1u, and BiP, which was upregulated by TGF-β1. Inhibition of ER stress contributed to MSC-mediated amelioration of EMT in A549 cells, and modulation of the IRE1α-XBP1 branch of the ER stress pathway may have played an important role in this effect. MSC transplantation alleviated bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. MSC treatment decreased the expression of ER stress- and EMT-related genes and proteins, and the most obvious effect of MSC treatment was inhibition of the IRE1α/XBP1 pathway. Conclusions. The present study demonstrated that MSCs decrease EMT by modulating ER stress and that blockade of the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway may play a critical role in this effect. The current study provides novel insight for the application of MSCs for IPF treatment and elucidates the mechanism underlying the preventive effects of MSCs against pulmonary fibrosis.
研究领域:
肺病学
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细胞生物学
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干细胞研究
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分子生物学
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病理生理学
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高影响因子
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
·
2024
·Vol. 24
·期 1
·1-13
·
IF 2
Wang Xin,Sun Limin
MI (myocardial infarction) often triggers severe heart failure and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Receptor expression-enhancing protein 5 (REEP5), a member of REEPs, acts as regulators of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) affecting cardiac functions. Based on GSE114695 profile data, REEP5 was decreased in the left ventricle of MI mice. However, its role and potential mechanism in MI remain to be investigated. In the present study, the mouse MI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. REEP5 expression was downregulated in the infarct penumbra area of MI mice. Next, its role during MI was explored by gain-of-function. Interestingly, REEP5 overexpression improved left ventricular function of mice with MI, accompanied with reduced infarct size. In cardiomyocytes, REEP5 overexpression inhibited ER stress, accompanied with repressive phosphorylation of PERK and IRE1α, and the decreased nuclear translocation of ATF6. Subsequently, REEP5 overexpression downregulated the levels of Chop and cleaved caspase-12, further alleviating ER stress-induced apoptosis, which was consistent with the in vivo results. Moreover, REEP5 was found to bind to C-type lectin member 5 A (CLEC5A), a protein that triggers cardiac dysfunction. CLEC5A, whose expression was elevated in hypoxia-induced cell models, led to cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Noteworthily, REEP5 overexpression markedly abolished the effects of CLEC5A on ER stress-induced apoptosis. Taken together, REEP5 mediated the function of CLEC5A to relieve MI via inhibiting ER stress-induced apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. REEP5 may be a promising target for treating MI.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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病理学
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高影响因子
Nature Communications
·
2025
·
IF 15.7
Qianqian Ying,Yongchen Chen,Luochen Shen,Yang Xu,Ruilin Tian
RNA splicing is fundamental to cellular function, yet systematic investigation of its complex regulation has been limited by existing methods. Here, we present SPLiCR-seq ( SPL icing regulator i dentification through CR ISPR screening), a high-throughput CRISPR screening platform that enables direct measurement of RNA splicing outcomes for pooled genetic perturbations, overcoming limitations of traditional fluorescence-based approaches. Applying SPLiCR-seq to investigate XBP1 splicing during the unfolded protein response (UPR), we conduct targeted and genome-wide screens across diverse cellular contexts, revealing both common and cell-type specific regulators. Notably, we identify GADD34 ( PPP1R15A ) as a novel modulator of IRE1α-XBP1 signaling, demonstrating that it directly interacts with IRE1α and functions independently of its canonical role in eIF2α dephosphorylation. Pharmacological inhibition of GADD34 using Sephin1 effectively suppressed XBP1 splicing and alleviated CAR-T cell exhaustion in an ex vivo model, leading to enhanced tumor-killing capacity across multiple cancer models. This work not only establishes a powerful new tool for systematically studying RNA splicing regulation but also uncovers a promising therapeutic strategy for improving CAR-T cell immunotherapy through modulation of the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway. Systematic investigation of RNA splicing regulation remains challenging. Here, authors present SPLiCR-seq, a CRISPR platform enabling direct measurement of splicing outcomes for pooled perturbations. They identify GADD34 as a novel IRE1α-XBP1 regulator, with inhibition enhancing CAR-T cell activity.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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遗传学
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RNA生物学
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免疫治疗
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细胞信号转导
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CRISPR技术
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癌症研究
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PubMed
高影响因子
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
·
2023
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IF 4.7
Yuedong Shen,Wenli Zhao,Óscar Monroig,Yangguang Bao,Tingting Zhu,Lefei Jiao,Peng Sun,Douglas R. Tocher,Qicun Zhou,Min Jin
The present study aimed to reveal the role of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (Ire1α) in mediating high-fat-diet (HFD) induced inflammation and apoptosis in fish and elucidate underling mechanisms of action. In experiment 1, black seabream juveniles were fed a control diet (Control, 12 % dietary lipid) or a high fat diet (HFD, 19 % dietary lipid) for eight weeks. In experiment 2, primary hepatocytes were isolated from black seabream juveniles and treated with oleic acid (OA, 200 μmol/L), OA + transfection with non-silencing control siRNA (negative control) (OA + NC), and OA + transfection with ire1α -small interfering RNA (OA + si ire1α ) for 48 h versus untreated (Control). Results indicated that fish fed HFD increased lipid deposition in the liver and caused hepatic steatosis. HFD group had significantly higher ire1α /Ire1α mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) related genes expression compared to the Control group, indicating that ERS was triggered. Meanwhile, feeding HFD induced inflammation and apoptosis by evaluated nuclear factor kappa B ( nf-κb ) mRNA and phosphorylated Nf-κb p65 protein expression, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (jnk ) mRNA and protein expression. However, knock down of ire1α (OA + si ire1α ) in primary hepatocytes alleviated OA-induced increased expression of ire1α /Ire1α mRNA and protein expression, nf-κb /Nf-κb p65 mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression, and jnk /Jnk mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression. These findings revealed the underling mechanism of action of HFD in fish, confirming that HFD increased ESR stress and Ire1α that, in turn, activated Nf-κb and Jnk pathways in hepatocytes and liver mediating HFD-induced inflammation and apoptosis.
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Frontiers in Physiology
·
2020
·
IF 3.367
Song Manyu,Wang Chaoran,Yang Haotian,Chen Yongping,Feng Xiujing,Li Bei,Fan Honggang
Chronic stress leads to immunosuppression and induces splenocyte apoptosis. STAT3 is a transcription factor that regulates immunity and apoptosis; however, it is unclear whether the increased expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) observed in chronic stress is related to splenocyte apoptosis. To explore the relationship between splenocyte apoptosis and STAT3 in chronic stress, we treated rats undergoing a 21-day chronic restraint stress program with the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201. This chronic stress model was verified by observing rats’ behavior and measuring their serum corticosterone levels. Chronic stress led to increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and p-STAT3 inhibition enhanced splenocyte apoptosis in chronic stress. We detected key proteins in three apoptotic pathways to determine which pathway mediated increasing splenocyte apoptosis and found that the death receptor pathway was the main apoptotic pathway that occurred in the spleen during chronic stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR) was also activated, but the Bcl-2 family was not involved in chronic stress. P-STAT3 inhibition had no influence on the Bcl-2 family and the death receptor pathway; however, p-STAT3 inhibition disrupted the pro-survival function of the UPR by decreasing the expression of ATF6α and p-IRE1α. Furthermore, p-STAT3 inhibition activated endoplasmic reticulum stress by promoting the expression of CHOP, p-JNK, and procaspase-12. Collectively, these findings indicate that the increased p-STAT3 expression during chronic stress may promote splenocyte survival by activating the UPR. Consequently, STAT3 and the UPR may be considered as potential therapeutic targets for chronic stress in the future.
研究领域:
免疫学
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压力生物学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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高影响因子
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LETTERS
·
2026
·Vol. 31
·期 1
·33
·
IF 12.2
Ding Ying,Feng Ziyang,Chen Guanjun,Liu Yunqing,Zhu Yuxing,Cao Ke
Background Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with rapid progression and poor prognosis. Although N1-methyladenosine (m 1 A) modification has been implicated in cancer development, the specific role of tRNA m 1 A modification in ATC remains unclear. Methods An integrated multi-omics approach is employed, including m 1 A-MAP-tRNA-seq, tRNA-seq, RNA-seq, and Ribo-seq, complemented by functional assays such as tRNA aminoacylation assay, puromycin intake assay, and L-HPG staining. Additional experiments involved polysome profiling qRT-PCR, codon-switch assay, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-tracker and TPE-MI staining, transmission electron microscopy, ChIP-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and BODIPY staining to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Results TRMT6/TRMT61A is significantly upregulated in ATC. The complex promotes tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by enhancing the aminoacylation of specific tRNAs, thereby facilitating global protein translation. Elevated translation led to the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER, which activates the IRE1α–XBP1s pathway. Notably, m 1 A modification also increased IRE1α translation, further amplifying the pathway. Activation of the IRE1α–XBP1s pathway upregulates DGAT1 expression, which promotes triglyceride synthesis. Conclusions Together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism by which TRMT6/TRMT61A drives ATC progression through translational and metabolic reprogramming, identifying TRMT6/TRMT61A as a promising therapeutic target in ATC. Graphical abstract
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Food & Function
·
2021
·Vol. 12
·期 21
·10773-10782
·
IF 5.396
Ritian Jin,Haowei Ren,Minhe Liao,Jiaqi Shang,Dangfeng Wang,Meng Li,Ning Liu
The peptide VLATSGPG (VLA) is known to inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), although its mechanism in relieving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is unclear. In this study, we found that treating HepG2 cells with 1.0 mM VLA reduced DPP-IV activity by 73.7 ± 4.8% without changing the DPP-IV mRNA expression level. In addition, 1.0 and 0.5 mM VLA alleviated palmitic acid (PA)-induced cell death and intracellular calcium imbalances. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, caspase-9, and CHOP) were reduced by VLA treatment, which was presumed to be related to ER stress. Further studies confirmed that VLA alleviated PA-induced morphological damage to the ER and reduced the levels of the ER stress marker proteins (BIP, p-PERK, and p-IRE1α). VLA alleviated PA-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells independent of DPP-IV enzymatic activity inhibition. These findings have implications for developing novel treatment approaches for liver diseases caused by ER stress.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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药理学
·
肝病
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PubMed
高影响因子
NEOPLASIA
·
2026
·
IF 4.8
Hongming Teng,Yuxin Guo,Xinran Chen,Anlian Fan,Chengfei Zhang,Ting Zhang,Yuanyuan Luo,Lin Huang
Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression could be fueled by the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The proline-rich Akt1 substrate of 40 kDa (PRAS40) is implicated in cancer progression, but its role in the UPR remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that PRAS40 promotes the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)-X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) axis-dependent UPR in driving CRC progression. Mechanistically, PRAS40 interacts with ER chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and enhances its N-glycosylation. Moreover, PRAS40 improves the interaction between GRP78 and ST6 β-galactoside α-2, 6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6Gal1), leading to increased α-2, 6-sialylation of GRP78 and the UPR triggered by ER stress. Furthermore, we identified the natural compound β-sitosterol as a novel ST6Gal1 inhibitor, which attenuated PRAS40-triggered tumor growth. Collectively, these findings unveil a PRAS40-ST6Gal1-GRP78 axis that drives CRC progression through activating the IRE1α-XBP-1-mediated UPR and nominate ST6Gal1 as a promising therapeutic target.
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Food & Function
·
2023
·Vol. 14
·期 4
·2200-2211
·
IF 6.1
Dongbao Cai,Xusheng Li,Qingjie Xu,Haiwei Li,Ruijing Liu,Jiali Chen,Xinwei Jiang,Jianxia Sun,Caiyong Lai,Weibin Bai
Testicular hyperthermia induced by unhealthy living habits and pathological or occupational factors can cause spermatogenic dysfunction with an outcome of sub-fertility or even infertility. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is the most typical anthocyanin in foods that has been recognized as an antioxidant with promising protection for male reproduction. However, its specific effect against testicular hyperthermia and the mechanisms involving its primary gastrointestinal metabolite protocatechuic acid (PCA) are still unexplored. In the present study, testicular hyperthermia in mice was established by employing a single hot water bath at 43 °C for 30 min. C3G and PCA were intragastrically given to investigate their prevention ability against heat stress-induced testicular damage. It was found that C3G and PCA restored the external diameter and thickness, and alleviated atrophy and vacuolation of seminiferous tubules. Simultaneously, C3G and PCA enhanced testicular heat stress tolerance through reducing superfluous eIF2α phosphorylation and stress granule formation. C3G and PCA effectively improved the testicular antioxidant system and regulated the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway, contributing to mitigatory spermatogenesis dysfunction and testicular damage. This finding revealed that anthocyanins were the novel compounds for alleviating testicular damage, and provided a reliable theoretical basis for improving male fertility disturbed by heat stress.
研究领域:
生殖生物学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
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Cell Metabolism
·
2025
·
IF 30.9
Ming-Ming Wu,Yan-Chao Yang,Zhi-Qiang Hu,Jie-Yu Chang,Han Xiao,Chang Miao,Bo-Wen Zhang,Zhi-Xi He,Di Zhu,Yu-Ran Duan,Shuo Wang,Jian-Yu Liu,Zhan-Peng Guo,Yu Sun,Dan-Yang Liu,Miao Yu,Yue Zhang,Jian-Jun Mao,Shuai Jiang,Bing-Kun Zhang,Zhu Mei,Jun Gao,Chen Liang,Qiu-Shi Wang,Chang-Jiang Yu,Dan Zhao,Cheng-Hui Yan,Yue Li,Zhen-Wei Pan,Zheng Chen,Da-Qian Xu,Tong Liu,Yong Ji,Zhi-Ren Zhang
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies increase the risk of metabolic syndrome; the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We show that an anti-PD-1 antibody targets macrophage PD-1 to reduce energy expenditure without affecting food intake, augmenting the susceptibility of mice to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and systemic metabolic disorders. Mechanistically, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) in a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent manner. Activated ULK1 phosphorylates PD-1 at Thr250 to inhibit FBXO38-mediated PD-1 ubiquitination and degradation by disrupting FBXO38-PD-1 binding. Phosphorylated PD-1 interacts with inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) and attenuates IRE1α autophosphorylation to suppress endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated inflammatory responses. Suppressing IRE1α alleviates HFD-induced metabolic disorders in macrophage-specific PD-1 knockout mice by rescuing the reduced energy expenditure. Our findings highlight the critical role of macrophage PD-1 at the intersection of immune checkpoint blockade, energy expenditure, and metabolic dysfunction. The underscored moonlighting function of macrophage PD-1 may provide a new rationale for combating ICI therapy- and HFD-induced metabolic diseases.
研究领域:
免疫学
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代谢学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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肥胖研究
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高影响因子
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
·
2024
·
IF 4.7
Xing Li,Bingtian Xu,Lu Long,Yuting Li,Xuan Xiao,Shuqin Qiu,Jiangping Xu,Li-Wen Tian,Haitao Wang
Mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress play pivotal roles in the pathology of cerebral ischemia. In this study, we investigated whether phelligridimer A (PA), an active compound isolated from the medicinal and edible fungus Phellinus igniarius , ameliorates ischemic cerebral injury by restoring mitochondrial function and restricting ER stress. An in vitro cellular model of ischemic stroke-induced neuronal damage was established by exposing HT-22 neuronal cells to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). An in vivo animal model was established in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). The results showed that PA (1–10 μM) dose-dependently increased HT-22 cell viability, reduced OGD/R-induced lactate dehydrogenase release, and reversed OGD/R-induced apoptosis. PA reduced OGD/R-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased ATP levels. Additionally, PA reduced the expression of the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and the phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (p-IRE1α) and eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α). PA also inhibited the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the OGD/R model. Moreover, treatment with PA restored the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn-2), a protein linking mitochondria and ER. The silencing of Mfn-2 abolished the protective effects of PA. The results from the animal study showed that PA (3–10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and neurological deficits, which were accompanied by an increased level of Mfn-2, and decreased activation of the ER stress in the penumbra of the ipsilateral side after MCAO/R in rats. Taken together, these results indicate that PA counteracts cerebral ischemia-induced injury by restoring mitochondrial function and reducing ER stress. Therefore, PA might be a novel protective agent to prevent ischemia stroke-induced neuronal injury.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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高影响因子
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
·
2017
·
IF 3.278
Zixuan Liu,Yawen Wang,Yuxin Wang,Wenjing Dong,Xiaomin Xia,Erqun Song,Yang Song
Our previous studies illustrated tetrachlorobenzoquinone (TCBQ)-caused toxicities in neuron-like cells which imply its association with neurodegenerative disorders. Although it is known that TCBQ induces oxidative damage that in turn results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis, it is unclear how TCBQ triggers the signaling switch from pro-survival (to restore cellular homeostasis) to pro-death (trigger apoptosis). Protein disulfide isomerase family proteins (PDIs) regulate the progress of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. We tested the hypothesis that subcellular translocation of PDIs implicates the survival/death signaling switch by inducing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). The rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells were exposed to TCBQ, and the concentration-dependent ER stress was observed upon TCBQ treatment, as indicated by the increase in inositol-requiring kinase/endonuclease 1α (IRE1α) phosphorylation, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression, X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) splicing, and caspase 12 activation. Interestingly, pharmacological (or siRNA) abrogation of PDIA1/PDIA3 aggravated the loss of cell viability induced by the relatively low concentration (10 μM) of TCBQ. However, inhibition of PDIA1/PDIA3 rescued the high concentration (20 μM) of TCBQ-induced cell death. Further mechanistic study illustrated that PDIs initially acted to restore cellular homeostasis to pro-survival but that the constant ER stress promoted the signaling switch to pro-apoptotis by the release of PDIA1/PDIA3 from the ER lumen to induce Bak-dependent MOMP. Our findings suggested that subcellular translocation of PDIs determined the “life or death” fate of PC12 cells to TCBQ-induced oxidative insult.
研究领域:
毒理学
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神经科学
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细胞生物学
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药理学
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高影响因子